Question about those "letters" from dealers expressing interest in your vehicle... (lease, tricycle)

[RunD1987]

Received a letter in the mail from a Toyota dealer expressing interest in purchasing back my vehicle. Didn't State of they wanted my old Matrix that I traded in about a year ago or my Rav 4. Not sure what vehicle they are interested in. The letter mentioned they could lower my monthly payments, which be nice. Also pay off any current lesse payments. Just showing up receive a gift card probably for a free oil change or something. Called and scheduled a meeting with a sales rep later in the week.

I am at a year and some change into my lease with almost 21,000 miles and a 40,000 mile lease overall.

Are these mostly scams? I wouldn't mention down payment, don't have much to put down anyways. If they offered a lease with a $40 or less difference on monthly payments then current monthly payments, pay off my current lease, and take $0 to $500 down I would possibly trade my current vehicle in.

Prior to bringing my car in should I wash it?

Appreciate the feedback.

[blktoptrvl]

All they want is to get you into the showroom, nothing more. It wouldn't matter if you had a car from them - or rode a tricycle. I wouldn't even go. Were you planning to bey a new car before you got the letter?

How are they going to give you such a great deal this time? Wouldn't that mean that last time you probably didn't?

[IShootNikon]

Just don't get fixated on monthly payments. Focus on final price of car. Doesn't matter if lease or financed.

[Electrician4you]

It's a fishing scam. You're the fish. The letter is the lure. Toss it out

[notnamed]

Not a scam per se. But just a marketing trick to get you in the door and talk you into a new car.

[rbohm]

as the others have noted, they want to get you in the door so they can sell you a new car. they probably also have someone on the hook for your current ride as well, but they cant locate one at another dealer, and while they could order one from the factory it would take too long to get it.

unless you are actually in the market to dump your current ride and replace it with something else, i would toss the letter in the trash.

[IShootNikon]

Basically saying you getting a good deal on a car is not dependent on that letter.

[RunD1987]

Figure a lure to get me in. I mean I go in I could get the deal I want, probably mot, but I still end up with $25 can't complain withbthst ha.

[f5fstop]

You actually read one of these past the first sentence?

[David A Stone]

I kept getting them years back from the Ford/Mercury dealership where I bought 2 new cars ( 97 Mercury Tracer and 99 Mercury Tracer)


All letters are worded exactly the same except for the place where they type in your car's make and model.